League Report: Dundalk 4 - 2 Drogheda United

Aoife Mullen reporting from Oriel Park

A six-goal six-pointer between the Premier Division’s bottom two teams saw The Lilywhites claim victory over their Louth rivals in a dramatic derby at Oriel Park.

Billed as one of the biggest-ever Louth derbies, this entertaining encounter saw Dundalk host their near neighbours (both geographically and in the league table), with both sides eager to pick up points in their battle to avoid relegation from the top flight.

A crowd of 2,776 watched on as Dundalk overcame the Boynesiders and secured an important win, which extends the gap between ninth and tenth place to five points.

Prior to kick-off, those in attendance observed a poignant minute’s silence in memory of teenager Zara Murphy, who tragically passed away while playing with her club Termonfeckin Celtic on Thursday evening.

Drogheda came into this match in the bottom position but buoyed by a spirited performance against league-leaders Shelbourne last week.

Meanwhile, Dundalk were searching for their first point since the mid-season break after consecutive defeats to Waterford and Shamrock Rovers.

A Johnny Kenny goal in the first half in Tallaght was enough to secure all three points for the defending champions, and Dundalk would have been disappointed that their showing in the second half did not earn at least one point.

The intensity of that second-half performance in Tallaght carried through to the start of this 179th Louth derby.

Jon Daly made three changes from the side that lost to Shamrock Rovers eight days ago, with new loan signing Felix Goddard starting between the posts and local players Mayowa Animasahun and Ryan O’Kane replacing the now-departed Zak Johnson and Archie Davies.

Drogheda, meanwhile, made one change from their previous match with Shane Farrell making his debut in place of Warren Davies, who was named on the bench.

It was a whirlwind start for the hosts, with new signing Jad Hakiki heading home after just eight minutes when he got on the end of a Robbie Benson cross after an initial attempt from Ryan O’Kane was punched away by Drogheda netminder Andrew Wogan.

Drogheda’s first real effort came in the 12th minute as Farrell’s cross from the left saw a Douglas James Taylor header go across the goal and wide. Ryan O’Kane stunned spectators with a sublime shot into the bottom right corner - his third of the season. The 20-year-old local player darted to the shed side of Oriel Park to celebrate in front of the Dundalk faithful.

Although Dundalk were the dominant side, Drogheda gradually grew into the game and applied pressure on the Lilywhites.

They were rewarded for their efforts when Darragh Markey got free down the wing and delivered an excellent cross to recent arrival Douglas James-Taylor.

The striker, who joined on loan from Walsall, found a pocket of space between Dundalk’s two central defenders and headed it past Goddard to score his second goal in two games, having converted a penalty in his debut at Weaver’s Park.

Momentum shifted to the away side and Kevin Doherty’s team pushed for an equaliser before the break. Former Dundalk player Andrew Quinn saw his effort go wide, and deep into injury time at the end of the half, James-Taylor got a shot away after beating Faulkner at the end line.

With one goal between the sides at the break, the game was perfectly poised for the second half, and there was a feeling that more goals were to come.

Ryan Brennan, who has scored three career goals against Dundalk at the Carrick Road venue, came into the action as a second-half substitute replacing Elicha Ahui, who had entered the referee’s notebook after a challenge on Robbie Benson.

Drogheda started with great intensity and dominated possession in the early stages of the second half, but Dundalk were content to soak up the pressure and threaten the away side on the counterattack.

In the 55th minute, Eoin Kenny and Daryl Horgan - the master and the apprentice - combined for a great one-two, and the latter fired high into Andrew Wogan’s net.

With the gap now back to two, the Drogheda management turned to their bench and made an attacking double substitution with Frantz Pierrot (returning from suspension) and Warren Davis replacing David Webster and Adam Foley.

Pierrot had his first attempt of the night in the 69th minute, but it was dealt with comfortably by Goddard. Five minutes later, the Haitian once again tested Dundalk’s new goalkeeper when he got on the end of a Shane Farrell free kick.

Another set piece in the 76th minute in a central position provided an opportunity for the team in claret and blue to reduce the deficit and set up another exciting finish, but Kane’s effort from close range sailed over the crossbar.

With just over ten minutes remaining, Dundalk made another double substitution as first-half goal-scorers Ryan O’Kane and Jad Hakiki made way for Robbie Mahon and Monaghan native Luke Mulligan, who was making his league debut.

As the game drew to a close and Dundalk seemed to have weathered the storm, the result was guaranteed when Horgan netted a second of the night in the 86th minute with another sublime left-footed strike into the top left-hand corner after substitute Mahon showcased his pace to take the ball forward.

The game was over as a contest at this stage, but in the third minute of added time, referee Rob Hennessy awarded a penalty to the visitors after Animasahun tackled Luke Heeney.

Douglas James Taylor stepped up to dispatch the spot-kick - his second penalty in as many games.

Moments later the final whistle sounded, and attention now focuses on next week as the local sides renew their rivalry in seven days’ time in the second round of the Sports Direct FAI Cup.

Dundalk FC: Felix Goddard; Seán Keogh (Dan Pike, 72), Bobby Faulkner, Mayowa Animasahun, John Mountney; Ryan O’Kane (Robbie Mahon, 77), Jad Hakiki (Luke Mulligan, 77), Robbie Benson, Paul Doyle (Scott McGill, 10’), Daryl Horgan; Eoin Kenny (Jamie Gullan,72).

Subs not used: Ross Munro, Koen Oostenbrink, Cameron Elliott, Hayden Cann.

Drogheda United: Andrew Wogan; Andrew Quinn, Luke Heeney, David Webster (Frantz Pierrot, 58), Jack Keaney, Conor Kane; Elicha Ahui (Ryan Brennan, 45), Adam Foley (Warren Davis, 58), Shane Farrell, Darragh Markey (Matthew O’Brien, 63); Douglas James Taylor.

Subs not used: Luke Dennison, Cameron Feehan, Samuel Case, James Byrne, Killian Cailloce

Player of the Match: Jad Hakiki

Attendance: 2,776